Poor Design

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brian john

Senior Member
Location
Kilmarnock, Va
Occupation
Retired after 52 years in the trade.
Last night I was exposed to what I consider POOR, LOUSY design. The site had a double ended switchboard, parallel (physically) to the switchboard 6' away was a 500KW/625KVA diesel generator. There was an issue with the protective relaying in the switchboard and for 5 hours I had this generator bellowing in my head (I wear hearing protection).

For several reason I question this design. One it effectively limited access to the switchboard from one end, two if the switchboard ever faulted it might damage the generator, and three while trouble shooting the controls I found it hard to concentrate.

Space was not an issue there was plenty of room outside, adjacent to an the original generator for this unit.

I left out of there at midnight and my head still aches.
 
I hate how the Cutler-Hammer (and most others) home panels don't have more spaces for the neutral and grounds. Makes it even worse if your using them as a sub panel. Drives me nuts!

:mad:
 
MA_Electrician1 said:
I hate how the Cutler-Hammer (and most others) home panels don't have more spaces for the neutral and grounds. Makes it even worse if your using them as a sub panel. Drives me nuts!
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Auxilliary grounding bars are neither expensive nor difficult to install.

I always take unnecessary ones out of panels I install and save them. Need a couple? :smile:
 
Is it poor design or just inconvenient to someone who has to work on it. It is hard to know why the equipment was not spread out more, but often there are one of two reasons for such decisions.

1. Considerations for installation of future equipment.

2. The installing contractor put the equipment where he did for his own reasons.
 
zbang said:
It's more than poor design when the engine cooling system blows a hose and sprays the switchboard with coolant. (Or if it's a natural gas genset and there's a leak...)
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how is that poor design? many things go into design criteria. cost is a big one, as is space. i am generally in favor of seperating noisy and/or dirty things from where people have to work, but there are a lot of times it is not practical or economical to do so.

if there was any solid chance of a NG genset leaking gas, the area would be classified. you cannot guard against every remote bad thing that might happen.
 
Have you reviewed NFPA 110 yet? Is this panel part of the emergency power system? If not, they can't be in the same room. What ampacity is this panel? If 1200A or more you may need to double the working space depth. Is the room fire rated?

Also, panel location shall be considered to minimize the possiblity of damage resulting from interruptions in the emergency power source caused by material and equipment failures.
 
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